Advice on Port Removal

That sounds like a plan @Molly71 , it is probably similar to the sedation given when having a colonoscopy by the sounds of it.   You will breeze through that without the ill effects of a general.  

Thanks @Keeping_positive1. I had mine inserted under a general when having axillary clearance surgery. I spoke to the Surgeon's nurse today and they have a middle option, removal under local with sedation (not a full general), so I think I will go with that one.

I had two ports inserted by local, the first slipped and was replaced and then the next one malfunctioned and twisted.  Both inserted and removed were done under local.  I didn't get offered a choice for general, so I don't know any different to be honest.  I can say that the second one that was removed felt uncomfortable, probably because the skin had grown around the port by the time it was removed.  It wasn't painful, but was rather a weird experience, because I could feel them tugging and pulling to remove it. which also could have been because my port had twisted/flipped.  If you had the port inserted by local, I would think you would be OK to have it removed by local.  My strategy to take my mind off what is happening has always been to wriggle my toes throughout the procedure, it really distracts me and gives me something else to concentrate on, instead of concentrating on what is happening.

Let us know what you decide, and best wishes. xx

Thanks @Locksley and @Cath62

Hi @Molly71, I didn't have a port for my chemo however I am an ex nurse and also someone who has had to have 9 general anaesthetics in the last 12 years. I have ave also had numerous local anaesthetics for skin cancers. My advice would be to avoid a general anaesthetic if possible. They do take their toll on people. If you can do a local go with that. Ask for numbing gel before the local and see if you can put music on if that helps. Close your eyes and go to a happy place while they remove the port. Good luck with your decision 

Hope all goes well.   I had mine out under a local.   They asked me to advise if I needed more.  I did need more anthestic and then they gave it.  It was still a bit uncomfortable but i wasnt given an option to ask for a general.

Thanks @Zoffiel

Oh, by the way. Local with no sedation means you don't have to have an IV line in. That's a win.

I had mine removed under local anaesthetic. They still need to do it in a theatre, so there seems to be a cast of thousands involved and some very bright lights that most people lying on their backs in those environments don't get to see.

Over the years I've resisted a general where ever possible. I use a deep breathing meditation technique to cope with the stress of invasive minor  procedures and tell the staff they are not to interrupt that unless my life is in danger. No patting of hands, no encouragement that I'm doing really well and, please, keep the chatter between yourselves to a minimum. They think I'm a bitch. I don't care.

I can't say I enjoyed having my port removed, except that I was chuffed it was gone. There is a fair bit of stabbing involved to numb the area and mine had, typically for me, been thoroughly assaulted and encapsulated by my outraged body so the poor surgeon had to excavate a deeper than expected which became a bit uncomfortable. Still worth it IMO.

If you are generally stoical you should be fine. Mxx